Internal-combustion engine



c. REINEKE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE} May 31.1921. 1,630,311

Filed Dec. 29. 1921 s Sheets-Sheet 1 630 311 May 1927' c. REINEKE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Dec. 29. 1921 6 Sheehdhoet 3 T 013 p4 6] J? W 2f 'm 3 May 31. 1927. I 1,630,311

C. REINEKE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Dec. 29. 1921 6 SheetQ-Sheet 4 who 1 630 311 I May 31 1927 c. REINEKE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE V 1 Filed Dec. 29. 1921 s sheets she et s a a? 6' T 67 I May 31, 1921. 1,630,311

c. REINEKE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Dec. 29.1921 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented May 31, 1927,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES REINEKE, F uEw YonK, n. Y., PORATION, on NEW YORK, N. Y.,

AssIenoR To THE REINEKE MOTOR con- A CORPORATION v 0F DELAWARE.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

Applicationfiled December 29, 1921. Serial No. 525,702.

production of an engine which can be readily installed in the place of and upon the foundation of the present steam engine, maintaining the same working conditions with regard to power, revolution, and in the case of ships; thesame propeller shaft, crank shaft, and'steam engine bed plate.

Another object of my invention is to produce an internal combustion engine arrz-znged and adapted to impart power strokes to an oscillating crank, said engine embodying ad: vantages ofconstruction including offset cylinders arranged so as to permitthe opposed pistons to function with less strain on the guides; also provide for compact arrangement of the connecting'rods, and prevent the cranks hanging on dead center; and also to permit the introduction of fuel so that it will be iresented to the'hottest portion of the piston.

A further object of this invention is to provide anoil engine of the opposed piston type, having novel valves arranged at the outer ends of the respective cylinders, said valves serving to permit a considerable re- With these and other objects in. view my 11) the construction and" invention con arrangement of the several parts hereinafter described and {minted claims.

in the accompanying drawings wherein.

r reference characters designate correspoining parts lll the several views,

l ig'ure '1 is a vertical sectional view- An object of my present invention is to p out in the appended through my improved engine, illustrating its application to the crank of a propeller shaft; I Y

. F gure 2 is an enlarged View in elevation,

partly broken away, of the upper portion of one of my improved engines;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view showing the opposed pistons extended, and taken at right angles to the sectional view illustrated in Figurel;

Figure l is a continuation of Figure 3, showing the upper portion thereof;

Figure 5 is a detail View of the cylinder of my invention showing thecooperating scav-. enging and exhaust valves at. each end thereof I Figure 6 is a detail'horizontal sectional view'on the line 6-6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view on the line 77 of Figure 1';

Figure 8 is an enlarged, horizontal sec tional view on the line 88 of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is anenlarged horizontal sectional View on the line'9 9 of Figure 1;

Figure 10 is an enlarged horizontal sectional. view on the line 1010 of Figure 1:

Figure 11 is an enlarged detail sectional duced an engine wherein the crank shaft.

follows an oscillatory path of travel, thereby permitting a smooth and' free action. of the several parts interconnect-ed therewith. I F or,

each power stroke of the piston an oscillation of the power shaft-is obtained, power in turn being transmitted from the oscillat-v the direct connection of the oscillatingcrank shaft with the rotating propeller crank shaft permits of maximum efliciency in operation.

The present arrangement of valvesat the respective ends of the cylinder is an advantage, it being apparent that the height of well as the propeller the engine can be considerably reduced. it will also be seen that the present compact construction of engine makes it readily adaptable for use on ships from which the steam engine has been removed. In use. a plurality of rela't ly small oil engines of the type herein disclosed is arranged upon the old bed plate or "foundation upon each side of the crank or propeller shaft and interconnected therewith as shown for example in Figure l. The relative distribution of the power and the saving oi space by the use ot several small engines. are important factors. especially on ships, and in small engine rooms where the question space is always foremost.

Referring to the drawings, and more pecially to Figure L l have illustrated a crank or propeller shaft 1 supported in main journal bearings provided on pillar blocks or plate 3 which latter may be secured any suitable i i'mndation. The cranks oi the shaft 1 are coupled to the respective cra .l-zs oi my improved engine. lnriimuch av all construction.

of the engines ar of simi l have confined the illustrations to bi single group 0t oppositely arranged 2' connected engines.

Engine bed plates at tlilt. 5 are arra adjacent the plate 3. These several pains as crank shalt are of standard construction. and with but tew exceptions constitute the usual 'fOillltlZltltHl. tor the type of steam engine now in use.

Each engine 6 and T is connected with "the propeller crank shatt 1, connecting rods 8 and 9 being interposed between the crank l and the oscillating crank element 10 oi each engine, as shown in Figure l. The construction of each engine being the same. I will describe but one in detail, applying; the same reference characters to corresponding parts of the other engine as will be undersuiod. My improved engine comprises. among other things a cylinder ll. the upper and lower portions 12 and 13 thereci being; offset with respect to each other as clearly shown tor example in Figure l and the axis of the crank shatt 10 is intersected by the axis of the portion l2 ot the cylinder. The cylinder is provided with an intermediate and relatively thick flange H adapted to be secured to the upper ends of supporting columns or uprights 15. The flange ii is secured between flanges 16 on the respective columns 15. and suitable nuts 17 screwed upon the threaded extensions 18 of said columns. Flanges l9 provided on the base of the columns 17 are duced in any manner, a positive mechanical injection device being preferred. It will be seen from this construction that the fuel injected strikes the highest and hottest portion of the pistons.

The respective ends of the cylinder 11 are provided with port openings. said openings being-g controlled. by valves arranged and adapted to effect proper scavenging and surcharging. These valves are respectively controlled by the movements of the opposed pistons and 2% arranged within the cylinder portions 12 and as clearly shown.

The upper valve 25. as shown in l igurcs l, 2, and is slidably mounted with respect to the end of the cylinder 9, and comprises a sleeve provided with downwardly projecting fingers 2T. Secured to the sleeve 26 is an encircling water jacketed sleeve 28. A ring is threaded into the sleeve 28 and rs-provided with a beveled seat or co-actii'ig tace 30. A similar ring 31 provided with a beveled taco encircles the cylinder 12 and designed to coact with the ring etlectively closing the valve. lit will be seen that. the coacting beveled faces and 32 of the respective rings SQIJVG to etlectively close or seal the ported openings and prevent the escape of the exhaust gases from the exhaust ports 33.

The ported openings oi the cylinder 12 are indicated by the numeral ill, the same beingrelatively long tork-like openings in; to which the fingers 27 ot the sleeve project. The valve is of the miter type the fitting ot the parts being sutliciently loose to pre 'ent excess l'riction as will be under stood.

It will be seen from this construction that the lingers ot the valve provide a relatively large surface area against which the piston23 travels for the extended portion of its stroke. The rings 35 ot the piston 23 are expanded against the linger portions 2? of the valve and in the starting of the respective opening and closing movements oi? the vzlve 25, it will be seen that the aforesaid rings 35 in bearing against the lingers 27 actually begin the moven'ient ot said valve. 'lhe valve is picked up so to speak bythe frictional contact of the rings and the resulting action thcreot is comparativcly smooth and tree from hammering.

The upper valve 25, and more especially he encirclin; water jacketed sleeve 28, is siidably mounted within the water jacketed casing 36. Packing rings 3T are carried by the sleeve and serve to pizvcnt the escape of the exhaust ll. packing ring 38 is interposed beneath the ring 31 and prevents the exhaust gases and water from mi ina, as will be understood. The ising 36 is water jacketed as shown, and has provided therein the exhaust openings hereinbeitore 29 for described. A flange 39 through which pass bolts 40 serves tosecure the casing 36'to the flange 14 of the cylinder. 1

The means for effecting the full opening of the valve is associated with and operated by the piston 22' Piston rod, 4L1 is provided with inclines orcain surfaces 42 arrai'iged diametrically opposite as shown, the

said incline surfaces being arranged and adapted to operate swinging arins 1nter connected withthe valve Each arm inounted in beari s at provided at the upper ends of uprig its 45, the latter extending "from and being secured to t sleeve 28 of the valve 25. These npi" are provided with flange portions 16 secured to the said sl'eeveQS by ineans ol bolts 4-7,

a bracket 53 secured. byineans of bolts ii to the upper faceol the casing so.

It will be seen In operation that as the piston nioves u )\\f:1rdly on apower stroke the inclines 42 (501116 in contact with the rollers 49 andcausc the arms 4;; to swing outwardly therebybringing the rollers 50 against the inclines 51, causing by this intcn lockingconnection the lifting of the valve until it has been arrested in its upper 'inotiou by the curved portions of the brackets 53. By this construction. the valve is lifted in a porutrve manner and with particular smoothness, thereby preventing any tendency of the valve to hannner.

The pint on rod 41 is connected at its upper end to cross-head slid-ably mounted in guides 56 tornnng the U-shaped bracket ia cured to the casing 36 by means of bolts :37 as best shown in l igures 2 and (5. A bolt is 'pivotally secin'es the piston rod 41 to the cror5s-l1ezul The lower end of the piston rod ill is provided with a circular head or j 5%) arranged within an annular re- (it) provided in the piston 23. Plate sectio a til as shown in Figure 11, arose-cured by bolts (5:2 against the upper face otthe head 59 and serve to loosely retain the same within the recess 60.

This construction perniitsof relative rotary motion of the piston 23 within the cylinder and thereby perinit ting it to accormnodate itselt to the cylinder and to the lingers 27 it the valve sleeve 26 for cooperation therewith as has been hereinbetore described. i

"The upper-piston 23 is connected to the oscillating crank shaft it) by" means of rod.

6,3, the upper ends of which are secured to the cross head 55, and the lower ends of which are secured to cross heads 64 arranged upon each side of the cylinder. These cross heads 64- are arranged at rights angles to the upper cross head 55 and have secured thereto the upper ends of connecting rods 65, thelower ends of said connecting rods being secured to cranks (:36 interconnected and secured to the crank shaft 10, (see Figure i r The .cross headstil are mounted in guides Oi". sup iiorted by means ojt'separable bracket: sections 68 secured to the uprights or col.- unins 15. The guides 67 are supported at their upper and lower ends by the separable bracket sections, which as shown can be readily titted and. adjusted about the engine. These separable bracket sections also conat i tu to the engine frame and add to the stability of the engine as will be understood.

fi der in; in open framework formation provides for ready access when inspecting and repairing the engine as will be understood.

cylinder portion 13 is also connectedwith the oscillating crank 10 and arranged and adapted to actuate a valve 70 in the lower ported end of the cylinder 13. The valve 70 comprises a sleeve portion 71" from which projects a series of fingers 72, arranged and adapted to cooperate with slot-likeopenings 73 forming the ports oft-hecylinder '13. This valve is similar in construction, to the valve 25 and of the lniter type. .Piston. rings Ti are provided on the piston 24 and serve to co act with the lingers 72 so as to start the opening and closing movements of the valve 70 as has been hereinbefore described in connection with the upper valve and piston. The sleeve 75 encircling the valve sleeve 71 is providedat its upper end wit h a. beveled face 76 forming a co-acting face or with the beveled face 77 of the ring '78. This ring 78 encircles the cylinder 13 and is threaded within the -ater jacketed casing 79 secured to andxlepending from the flange M as shown. Bolts Stllpassing through the flange 81 of the casing 79 secure said casing to the flange 14. The encircling sleeve 75 is movably mounted within the lower portion of the casing 79 and is provided with packing rings as shownQ The valve 70 is operably controlled by the piston 24, thesaid piston being arranged and adapted to strike projections 83 carried by said valve. These projections 83 are secured to the valve 71 and are diametrically arranged as shown in Figure 3. Depending rods S t-project from the valve 71 and have arranged thereabout springs 85. Theolower ends of the rods 84 project into openings'86 The lower piston Ell operable within the openings 73.

provided in flanged nuts 87. The nuts 87 are adjustably threaded into a transversely arranged and separable frame section 88 secured by bolts 89 to the columns 15.

In operation the valve 71 is moved downwardly against tension of the springs 84: by means-oi the piston 24: striking the projections 83. lVhen opened, scavenging air is allowed to pass through the ports 82 through the port openings 73 into the cylinder 13 above the piston 24 as will be understood. The return of the valve 71 is effected by means of the springs 84 which act to move the fingers 72- inwardly to close the ported The piston Bl is provided with a piston rod 90 the upper end oi which is secured to the piston in the same manner as piston rod 41 is secured to the upper piston 23 and as has been hereinbei'ore described.

The lower endof piston red 90 is connected by means of trunnions 9 to the cross head 92. The cross head 92 is otl'set as shown a corresponding distance to-the offset of the cylinders and pistons. (.iuides 93 are provided for the cross head 92, said guides bcing supported at their upper and lower ends by means of separable bracket sections 9i which are in turn secured to the columns 15 as shown.

A relatively short connecting rod 95 is attached atits upper end to the roe-s head 92, and at its lower end to the crank pin 96 of the oscillating crank 10.

The throw oi"- the crank pin 96 is less than the throw of the pin connected to the crank 66 This difference in radii between these cranks produces different piston travel in the cylinder portions 12 and 13, it being obvious that the upper piston 23 will have a relatively long; stroke, and that the lower piston 2-1 will have a shorter stroke. This piston travel with relation to the crank pin travel is shown in Figure 12. the smaller semicircle indicating the travel of the crank pin 96 and the larger semi-circle indicating the travel of the crank pin 66. These semicircles are divided in equal parts as shown. The piston travel a projected from the smaller crank semi-circle is that of lower piston 24. The piston travel indicated ly Z) projected from the larger crank semi-circle is that of upper piston 23. In the example given it will be seen that 'for an given distances such as those indicated by the letters 0 and (Z, the respective travels are equal. and the amount that the port openings are opened and shut is the same as will be understood. By different arrangements oi crank angles, various amounts oi port openings can be had, and the same can be had at the various times desired with regard to the scavenging and exhaust ports. The amount of advance and retardation of the travel of the pistons and the cranks can be readily obtained.

In my present construction the relative timing of the valves 25 and and the piston travel of each piston have been designed to effect the proper time interval during which the ported openings at the ends of the cylinder shall remain open for obtaining the proper scavenging of the cylinder 13. in adjustment oil the cranks however can be made to vary scavenging and surcharging and it will be understood that I do not limit myself to the exact showing herein.

In operation it will be seen that the opposed pistons produce the oscillations of the cranks 10 in the direction of the arrow shown thereon in Figure 1, there being a complete oscillation of each crank for a single power stroke of the pistons. The offset relationo't the respective pistons, together with their direct connection of offset cross heads and rod connections provide for maximum power strokes of each piston, and the transmission of said power strokes to the oscillating crank with minimum strain upon the several parts, and positive assurance for the oscillation of the crank 10. By re son of this offset arrangement it is possible to use a. relatively short connecting rod 95 with the same advantageous results ob-- tained from the use of. a longer connecting rod. The provision oi valves at each end i the aforesaid cylinders serves to materially reduce the heignt of the engine, as will be understood.

Through the connecting rods 8 and 9 the oscillatory movement of the cranks 10 is transmitted to the rotating crank or propeller shaft 1 The respective connecting rods 8 and 9 are connected to crank pins 97 provided on the oscillating cranks 10.

The installation oi? a series of oil engines constructed in accordance with my invention and oppositely arranged to the various arms or pins of the crank sliat'tcan be readily eli'ected, and the combined horse power of the several engines can be designed to equal the total horse power of the steam engine discomiected from the crank or propeller shaft. example, is particularly ad *antageous and in adapting my improved type of oil engine to the propeller shaft ot a ship, great economy in space as well as economy in initial installation and maintenance are obtained. My improved engine. however, is not limited to use on ships, as it can be readily arranged and constructed for automobile and stationary or other uses.

Changes in the proportion, size, arrangement and construction olf the several parts may be made, and I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact construction and application thereof which I have herein disclosed.

I claim:

1. In an internal combustion engine, the

The use oi oil engines on ships, for

lot

tons at one end ofithe cylinder 211K i combination vwith a cylinder having offset portions, of opposed pistons arranged in said cylinder, an oscillating crank shaft arranged at one end of the cylinder and inthe cylinder and in terseoting the axis of one of the ct ct end portions of the cylinder, and rooms including connecting rods interposed between and i connecting the aforesaid opposed pistons and oscillating crank shaft for imparting a power stroke of the pistons totlzc c l shaft for every complete oscillation then it at a, point, outside of a planethrough the center of said crank shaft,

3. In an internal con'iluistimi en ine, the combination with a cylinder im e l with oti'set endportioi'is,of opposed pistons arranged. in said cylinder, the exposed osciliat ing crankshaft arranged beneath said p" seeting the axis of one ol the oi'isetend portions of the cylinder. and means connects ing said crank shaft. to the afore aid pistons, said means including sliding cross heads and connecting rods arranged upon the outside of said cylinder and arrangeilv in offsetrelation to eachother.

:t. In an internal combustion engine of the opposed piston type, the combination with a cylinder having offset portions, opposed pi, one arri-niged in said. cylinder, ant cscillating crank shaft arranged at one end of the cylinder and intersecting the axis of one of the offset portions of the cylinder,

said shaft having crank pins of varying radii, and means connecting the aforesaid pistons to the respective crank pins forperthe opposite ends of the pistons to overlap and to closely approach one another on the compression stroke, fuel intakes arranged between saidoifset portions and set to direct fuel onto the central portions of opposite cndsof the pistons when the latter are at the endof the compression stroke, an air intake port at one end of the cylinder and exhaust ports at the other end ofthe cylinder, valves for said ports operahly controlled by the pistons, piston rods colniected to each Yton, oil et cross heads to which the oppothe piston rods are attached,

site ones of connecting rods having one end'attached to the respective cross heads, and an oscillating crank to which the other ends of said connecting rods are attached, for permitting. the power strokes of said piston'to bealways at a point outside a verticalplane through the er of said crank; V i a. An engine including a cylinder having otiset portions with parallel axes connected together by an intern'iediate portion, opposed tons arranged in the offset portions of rid cylinder, the axes of the offset portions 'n arranged sufficiently close together to .e: t the opposite ends of the pistons to closely approach one anotherand overlap, l the intermediate portion being of a connected to the intermediate portion 0 said cylinder and arranged to direct jets of fuel onto the heads of the pistons, air inlet and exhaust ports arrangeiil in theotl'set portions of said cylinder, a drven shaft, and means opeifatively connecting said pistons to said sna't. i i

7, An internal combustion engine includinga cylinder haying offset portions, opposed tions of said cylinder and adapted to move in opposite directions when the charge GX-- plodes, an oscillatingcrank shaft arranged length substantially equal to the distance iretueen sa daxes, liquid fuel inyeetionfpipes nov power pistons arranged intheoif-set porat one end of said cylinder andhaving its aXis intersected by the axis of one of said oft-set portions of said cyl nder, and means connecting lzothof said plstons to said crank shaft for permitting the power strokes of said pistons to be transmitted tothe crank shaft at points outside of a plane extending through the axis of the crank shaft and the axis of the above mentioned, portion of the cylinder.

8. An opposed piston internal combustion engine including in combination a cylinder having ofiset portions in which the respective pistons operate, an oscillating crank shaft for said engine intersecting the axis of one of the offset portions of the cylinder,

means connecting the crank shaft with the opposed pistons, a rotating work shaft, and

ieans interposed between the said work shaft and oscillating crank shaft for imparting rotary motion to said work shaft.

9 The combination with a rotary Worlc shaft, of oppositely arranged internal conibnstion engines of the opposed piston type, offset eyhndersfor each engine haying 0pposed pistons arranged therein, a separate oscillating crank shaft associated with each cylinder :1, d having its axis intersected by the axis of one of the off-set port ons of the last mentioned cylinder, means connecting the piston or" each cylinder with the oscillating crank shaft of that cylinder for permitting the power strokes of the pistons in that cylinder to be transmitted to its associated crank shaft at points outside of a plane extending through the axis of the crank shaft and the axis of the aforesaid oif-set portion of the cylinder, and means connecting the oscillating crank shafts with d the aforesaid Work shaft for ionverting' the oscillations into rotary movement.

10. The combination with a rotary crank shaft. of oppositely arranged internal combustion engines provided with oscillating crank shafts, each crank shaft having its axis intersected by the POClS of a portion of the cylinder "with which it is associated, opposed pistons arranged in each of said cyl inders and operatively connected to the crank shaft of that cylinderthe axes of all of said shafts being; arranged in a p ane extending transversely of the cylinders, and means for COHUQ ll1 said oscillating-r crank shafts to the aforesaid rotary crank shaft.

In testimony whereof I anix my signature.

CHARLES REINEKE. 

